CAIRO – Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with African countries, particularly those in the Nile Basin and Horn of Africa, in light of Egypt’s deep-rooted continental ties.
During a ceremony honoring 24 former trainees from seven Nile Basin and Horn of Africa countries—Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia, in addition to Egypt— Sewilam highlighted the importance of continued collaboration.
These trainees had previously participated in annual programs hosted by the Regional Training Center of the Hydraulics Research Institute, under the Egyptian Water Resources and Irrigation Ministry’s initiative and the Egyptian Partnership Agency for Development.
Certificates were awarded for a recent training program held from May 18–22, titled “Innovative AI-Based Solutions for Sustainable Water Governance and Management.”
In his remarks, the minister addressed the growing water challenges facing Egypt and fellow African nations, including limited water resources, population growth and climate change impacts, such as unpredictable Nile flow, coastal threats, flash floods, and extreme weather.
He stressed the need for increased cooperation, experience sharing, and capacity building across Africa.
Sewilam emphasized Egypt’s readiness to share its advanced expertise and successful water management practices through institutions like the Hydraulics Research Institute and the Pan-African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA).
He praised the National Water Research Center’s critical role in supporting the ministry’s strategy to optimize water use and boost agricultural productivity through scientific innovation and modern technology.
The training theme aligns with Egypt’s irrigation modernization plan, Irrigation System 2.0, which integrates artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, and mathematical modeling into water distribution and management, the minister said. The program aimed to reconnect past trainees, evaluate previous training impacts, and foster innovative solutions, he added.
The event featured remarks from the head of the National Water Research Center, who thanked the minister for his support and expressed hope that the program would deepen African cooperation and promote knowledge exchange.
Participants from across Africa expressed gratitude to Egypt for its continued support and commended the Hydraulics Research Institute for its high-quality training programs.
